JAMES PATTY, 29, of Sea-Tac, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to robbing a Walgreen’s pharmacy in Portland, Oregon. Pharmacy robbery is a felony offense punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Court documents indicate that during February 2005, PATTY traveled with a female companion from Washington to Portland, Oregon, where he robbed a Walgreen’s Pharmacy, located at 2829 N. Lombard Street, in Portland, Oregon.

The robbery occurred on February 6, 2005, at approximately 12:45 a.m. PATTY entered the pharmacy carrying a black bag, which he had disguised to appear to contain a bomb. Prior to entering the pharmacy, PATTY taped a cell phone to the outside of the bag, and had road flares and wires running from the cell phone. PATTY approached the counter, placed the bag on the counter, and told the pharmacist he was carrying a bomb and demanded all of the oxycodone. He threatened to set off the bomb if his demands were not met. The pharmacist retrieved approximately 10 bottles of oxycodone in various strengths (10mg, 20mg, 40mg, and 80 mg). Over 1,000 oxycodone pills were provided to PATTY having a replacement cost to the pharmacy of approximately $7,177.00, and a much higher street value. After receiving the pills, PATTY returned to his vehicle where the female was waiting, and the two drove back to Washington. The pills were thereafter consumed by PATTY and his traveling companion, as well as being distributed and sold to others.

In addition to pleading guilty, PATTY agreed to pay restitution to the pharmacy for the value of the drugs taken.

PATTY is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik on January 4, 2008.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NW HIDTA), and the Portland, Oregon Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.